The Jefferson County Board of Education this morning discussed preparations to move the 620 students about a mile away to Erwin Middle and Elementary schools. The board will also seek a waiver from the state Department of Education to exempt the system from having to make up the missed days caused by the storms.

Superintendent Phil Hammonds said teachers, administrators and support staff including cafeteria staff have worked for days to salvage what they could at the Center Point Elementary site and prepare for Wednesday's move.

"We're ready to go," he said. "Nothing's more important than to start school Wednesday."

The board has contracted with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department to provide two deputies to help with what's expected to be heavier than normal traffic where three schools are compressed into two campuses.

"It is definitely moving forward," Deputy Superintendent Yancy Morris said. "There are a lot of moving parts, but this is already coming together quickly."

Morris said officials are also working to place portables at the campus to handle any space needs.

"It's moving people around, shifting people and making some space," Morris said. "They're actually spread over two campuses, which are adjacent to one another."

The board this morning also passed a resolution declaring an emergency situation, easing restrictions on purchasing.

"It allows us some flexibility to make provisions to move forward," Hammonds said. "We're looking at computers, printers, copy paper. We will almost be like the first day of school. All those things you take for granted, those things are gone."